Many clients refer to Stew as their “trusted advisor.”  He has broad-based experience in buying and selling businesses as well as general business transactions.

Having previously served as in-house counsel for a bank and a bank holding company with more than $1 billion in assets, Stew understands the issues faced by banks and other financial institutions.  He provides advice and counsel to such clients regarding secured loan documentation, merger and acquisition transactions involving banks and bank holding companies, and branch acquisition and sale transactions.

For the firm’s general business clients, Stew works primarily in the area of acquisition and sale transactions.  Stew’s experience covers a wide variety of industries.

Examples of recent transactions include:

• Providing counsel to Boards of Directors and senior management of various business entities.
• Assisting companies with asset sale and purchase transactions.
• Assisting closely held companies with restructuring their ownership.
• Assisting owners of closely held companies in connection with stock sales to private equity buyers.
• Assisting banks and bank holding companies in the acquisition and divestiture of other banks and bank branches.

A native Wisconsinite, when not practicing law Stew can be found enjoying outdoor recreational activities and rooting on his beloved Wisconsin Badgers or Green Bay Packers.

Civic Activities

• Aspirus Health Foundation – Board Member (2015–present), Chair (2023 – present)
• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point – Chancellor’s Advisory Council (2015–present)
• Murco Foundation – President and Board Member (present)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin, Inc. – Board Member (2015–2018)
• Wheels to Work Project – Advisory Committee (2010–2018)
• Newman Catholic Schools – Finance Committee (2002–2014)
• Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin – Board of Directors (2005–2011)
• Wausau Festival of Arts – Director (2000–2005)
• Wausau Country Club – Board Member (2000–2004)